08/12/2026
There has been a lot of misinformation surrounding debit card fees.
🛒Many consumers have been told that using a debit card is “free.” But free to the cardholder does not mean free to the business accepting it. Banks and debit networks still charge businesses fees to process those transactions.
🏢Businesses ultimately have to account for that cost. They can build processing expenses into their prices, just like any other operating expense, or they can offer customers a discount for paying with cash.
đź’µCash and debit are not the same thing. A debit card is still an electronic payment that carries a processing cost. Paper cash does not.
It’s also important to understand the business owner’s side. Accepting cards provides convenience to customers, but that convenience has a cost and historically, the business has been expected to absorb it.
Send a dm if you’re curious about how to become compliant.
Act 751 ended debit-card surcharges in Louisiana on August 1, 2026. Most affected businesses just need a small settings fix. Free check from HD Processing in Lafayette.